Flexible package with tamper evident reclosable opening

ABSTRACT

The present invention describes a flexible package ( 100 ). The flexible package ( 100 ) includes a pair of opposite panels ( 102, 103 ). The flexible package ( 100 ) further includes at least one pair of side gussets ( 104, 106 ) configured with the pair of panels to form a receptacle ( 108 ) having at least three closed sides. The flexible package ( 100 ) also includes a first and a second tamper evident reclosable opening ( 116, 118 ) provided on the at least one pair of side gussets ( 104, 106 ), the opening ( 116, 118 ) configured to provide access to contents of the flexible package, wherein the first reclosable opening ( 116 ) is smaller than the second reclosable opening ( 118 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to flexible packaging of food articles or the like and, in particular, to a flexible package having reclosable opening(s) for accessing and/or pouring contents of the package.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flexible packages with a reclosable opening that can be pulled open have been around for a long time. One of the package walls has a pre-formed opening that goes through to an inner layer of the package. The opening is covered with a closure patch having a pull-tab which can be pulled to create and/or expose the opening of the package. Generally, these types of packages with reclosable openings are very useful in storing food articles, to retain their freshness, as the food article is only taken out through the opening and the opening is subsequently reclosed for future usage.

However, there are many chances that while packaging and/or reclosing, some leakage of air may occur through the reclosable opening if the closure patch is not properly closed. This may spoil the food article and/or the contents stored in the package. In order to overcome this problem, adhesive closure patches have been designed, so that the closure patch is tightly sealed by the resealable adhesive to prevent any contact of the contents of the package with the atmosphere. Conventionally, an adhesive closure patch with a pull-tab is provided on a front panel of the flexible package. Providing the adhesive closure patch on the front panel is not a convenient method for taking out the contents of the package when required. Such opening on the front panel also does not facilitate easy pouring of the content of the package.

Therefore, there exists a need for an improved packaging which has an improved reclosable opening to facilitate easy withdrawal and/or pouring of the contents and also to provide improved sealing of the package for reusable purposes.

SUMMARY

The present invention describes a flexible package having reclosable openings for accessing and/or pouring contents from the package. The flexible package includes a pair of opposite panels. The flexible package further includes at least one pair of side gussets configured to attach the pair of panels to form a receptacle having at least three closed sides. The flexible package also includes a first and a second reclosable opening configured to provide access to contents of the flexible package, wherein the first reclosable opening is smaller than the second reclosable opening.

In another embodiment, a flexible package includes a pair of opposite panels, and at least one pair of side gussets configured to attach the two panels to form a receptacle having at least three closed sides. The flexible package further includes a reclosable opening provided on an edge of the flexible package. The reclosable opening configured to provide access to the contents of the flexible package.

In yet another embodiment, a flexible package includes a pair of opposite panels and at least one pair of side gussets configured to attach the pair of panels to form a receptacle having at least three closed sides. The flexible package further includes a first reclosable opening provided on an edge and a second reclosable opening provided on at least one of the panels, the openings configured to provide access to contents of the flexible package, wherein the first reclosable opening is smaller than the second reclosable opening.

In a yet another embodiment, the flexible package includes a pair of opposite panels and at least one pair of side gussets configured to attach the two panels to form a receptacle having at least three closed sides. The flexible package further includes a reclosable opening provided on at least one of the panels of the flexible package and configured to provide access to contents of the flexible package, and a rigid lockable closure configured to cover the reclosable opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention shall be better understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a flexible package having multiple reclosable openings, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a flexible package having a reclosable opening on an edge of the package, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flexible package having multiple reclosable openings, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a flexible package having a reclosable opening with a rigid lockable closure, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For a thorough understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description in connection with the above-mentioned drawings. Although the present invention is described with reference to exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Further, it will nevertheless be understood that no limitation in the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the figures and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Further, reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Furthermore, the appearances of such phrase at various places herein are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

The present invention provides a flexible package (100) having at least one reclosable opening for packaging of food articles and the like. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary flexible package (100), hereinafter referred to as the package (100) for packaging food articles and the like. Examples of the articles which may be stored within the package (100) may include cereals, pet food, grains, fertilizers, chemicals etc.

In various exemplary embodiments, the package (100) may be made by using various kind of films, laminate structures, single layer substrate, including but not limited to, multi-layer paper-polymer laminate, paper-Aluminum laminate, polymeric laminate, single or multilayer polymeric films, fibrous substrate, woven polymeric fabric and its laminates, metal foils, etc.

Examples of fibrous substrate may include a natural fibre substrate like paper (coated or uncoated), paperboard, non-woven, woven substrate of synthetic fibres and polymeric tapes.

Further, examples of single or multilayer polymeric films may include one of or combination of Polyethylene (PE), Biaxially-Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) film, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) film, Poly Carbonate (PC), Cast Polyproylene (CPP) film, Polytetrafluoroethylene, Biaxially-Oriented Polyethylene Terephthalate (BoPET), Polyamide (PA), Acrylic (Polymethyl methacrylate) (PMMA), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) or any other polymer.

Examples of metal foil may include metalized layer of Aluminium, Aluminium Oxide, zinc sulphide, Silicon Oxide, Silver, Gold, Copper, Chrome, silicon monoxide, silicon dioxide, magnesium fluoride, titanium dioxide, tin tungsten oxide and indium tin oxide or any other suitable metal.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the package (100) includes a pair of opposite panels, such as a first panel (102) and a second panel (103) attached with a first side gusset (104) and a second gusset (106). The first panel (102), the second panel (103) and the two side gussets (104, 106) are configured to define a receptacle (108) having at least one open side. The package (100) may further include a bottom gusset (110) or a non-gusseted pinch sealed bottom side. It may be contemplated that any type of flexible package, such as packages having three side gussets, four side gussets, Pinch bottom, non gusseted and top sealed packages, etc., may be considered within the scope of the present invention.

In an exemplary embodiment, the package (100) is formed of a single web. A continuous length tube is formed of the web by overlapping and subsequently sealing the two longitudinal side edges of the web. Further, longitudinal gussets are formed at each longitudinal edges of the continuous length tube. The continuous length tube is further separated to get predetermined package length tubes. Furthermore, one of the ends of the package length tube is sealed to obtain the package (100).

In an alternative embodiment, the package (100) may be formed from four webs, out of which two webs form the first and the second panels (102, 103) and the remaining two form the side gussets (104, 106). The side gussets (104, 106) are used to join the first panel (102) and the second panel (103) to form the package (100) having at least one open side. In a yet another embodiment of the present invention, the package (100) may be formed by using a single web which may be folded to form the first panel (102) and the second panel (103), and the two side gussets (104, 106) may be separately sealed to the web to form the receptacle (108) having at least one open side. The first panel (102), the second panel (103), and the side gussets (104, 106) may be sealed by way of heat sealing, adhesive sealing, ultrasonic sealing, laser sealing etc., or a combination thereof. The size of the gussets (104, 106) may vary, based on the size of the package (100) and the quantity of content to be stored within the package (100). It may be contemplated that other methods of making various types of packages (100) may be considered within the scope of present invention.

In an embodiment, the package (100) includes one or more tamper evident reclosable openings provided on any one or more of the side gussets (104, 106). Perforations are provided along a definite perforation path on the package (100), in the shape and size of the openings desired. For example, the package (100) includes a first closure patch (112) and a second closure patch (114) configured to cover a first tamper evident reclosable opening (116) and a second tamper evident reclosable opening (118) respectively. The term closure patch as used herein refers to a separate piece of substrate attached or partially attached to a package that can be pulled holding the pull tab to expose or create an opening in the package (100). In an embodiment, the closure patches (112, 114) include a pressure sensitive adhesive applied on an inner surface (not shown) of the closure patches (112, 114). The pressure sensitive adhesive binds the closure patches (112, 114) with the outer surface of the package (100). Therefore, when the closure patches (112, 114) are peeled, the pressure sensitive adhesive removes the area of the package (100) inside the reclosable openings and creates an opening in the package (100). The first opening (116) being smaller may be used to pour the contents of the package (100), by tilting the package (100). Whereas, the second opening (118), being larger, may be used to take out the contents of the package (100) using a scoop or a hand etc.

The “tamper evident reclosable opening” as used herein refers to an opening in the package (100) which is created or exposed by pulling of the closure patch (112, 114). In an exemplary embodiment, the reclosable openings (116, 118) are perforated tearable/openable areas (124, 126), such that when the respective closure patches (112, 114) are pulled, the perforations tear along with the closure patches (112, 114) to create the openings (116, 118). In various embodiments, the reclosable openings (116, 118) may include any type of line of weakness such as perforations, laser scoring, other series of cuts, thinning or breakage or separation of substrate, or a strip of a different kind of substrate bridging between adjacent portion of substrate of the package (100), that is more easily torn or broken than the adjacent portions, and which allows the user or manufacturer to separate the adjacent portions along the line of weakness.

Further, the closure patches (112, 114) are positioned over and operate in conjunction with the respective reclosable openings (116, 118) provided on the package (100). In an embodiment, the closure patches (112, 114) can optionally function as a label and contain instructions and/or information, such as for opening the package (100), hologram or similar security means or the brand name, etc. associated with the package (100).

In an exemplary embodiment, the closure patches (112, 114) are contiguous with respective pull tabs, such as a first pull-tab (120) and a second pull-tab (122). The pull-tabs (120, 122) may be in the form of a notch having any suitable size that provides sufficient room for a person to be able to grip, hook a hand, finger or fingers, spoon, cane, prosthetic hook, pen or any other object through in order to assist in opening the package (100). It may be contemplated, that the pull-tabs (120, 122) may be of any other shape so as to facilitate a user to hold and pull the closure patches (112, 114) to open the package (100).

In an exemplary embodiment, the closure patches (112, 114) have an adhesive deadener provided in the area of the pull-tabs (120, 122) to prevent the pull-tabs (120, 122) from attaching to the outer surface of the package (100) in that location. In another embodiment, the pull-tabs (120, 122) may be completely adhesive free to prevent them from attaching to the outer surface of the package (100) in that location. In this way, the pull-tabs (120, 122) may be easily grasped by the user to open the package (100).

In an embodiment, the peel strength of the closure patches (112, 114) in areas (124, 126) proximate to the reclosable openings (116, 118) i.e., within the perforations, is greater than the peel strength in second areas (128, 130) proximate to the surface of the package (100) outside the perforations. Therefore, when the closure patches (112, 114) are pulled or peeled, then the substrate of the package (100) in the openings (116, 118) i.e., within the areas (124, 126) is pulled along with the closure patches (112, 114) thereby creating the openings/perforations which are tamper evident, as once the closure patches (112, 114) pulled, the perforations created along the areas (124, 126) are permanent and cannot be undone. Further, the substrate of the package (100) outside the perforations (128, 130) is not pulled along with the closure patches (112, 114) due to the low peel strength therein. In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive in the areas (124, 126) within the perforations is a high peel strength adhesive, and may be different and of high peel strength than the adhesive, i.e. a low peel strength adhesive, in the second areas (128, 130) outside the perforations. Further, the low peel strength adhesive in the areas (128, 130) outside the perforations may be reusable to facilitate multiple reclosing of the openings (116, 118). In an alternative embodiment, the thickness of the high peel strength adhesive in the areas (124, 126) within the perforations may be greater than the thickness of the low peel strength adhesive in the second areas (128, 130) outside the perforations to provide the different peel strengths. In another embodiment, the high peel strength adhesive in the areas (124, 126) within the perforations may be a permanent adhesive, whereas the low peel strength adhesive in the second areas (128, 130) outside the perforations may be reusable adhesive to achieve similar results. In a yet another embodiment, the substrates of the package (100) and the closure patches (112, 114) in the areas (124, 126) within the perforations may be sealed using suitable sealing methods such as ultrasonic sealing, laser sealing, heat sealing, high frequency sealing etc. whereas the low peel strength adhesive in the second areas (128, 130) outside the perforations may be reusable adhesive to achieve similar results.

Furthermore, whenever the user wants to take out the contents of the package (100), the user may open the first reclosable opening (116) for pouring small amount of content by tilting the package (100). Further, the user may open the larger reclosable opening, i.e., the second reclosable opening (118), if there is scoop that needs to be entered into the package (100) to take out larger amount of content stored in the package (100) without lifting and/or tilting the package (100). This provides an ease in taking out the contents of the package (100) as per the user's convenience.

According to an alternate embodiment flexible package (200) as shown in FIG. 2 is provided. The package (200) includes a first panel (206) and a second panel (207). The package (200) further includes a single closure patch (202) with a tamper evident reclosable opening (204) provided on an edge (208) joining the first panel (206) and a first side gusset (210) of the package (200). Although, the closure patch (202) and the reclosable opening (204) is shown to be on the edge (208) joining the first panel (206) and the first side gusset (210), it may be contemplated that any edge of the package (200) joining any panel and side gusset, for example, the second panel (207) and the first side gusset (210), or gusset-to-gusset joining edge, may be considered well within the scope of the present invention.

The closure patch (202) and the reclosable opening (204) work in conjunction with each other in a similar manner as described with reference to FIG. 1 of the present invention. The reclosable opening (204) includes a perforated openable area (214). In an exemplary embodiment, the reclosable opening (204) is a rectangular opening cut out in any one of the edge of the package (200). In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the reclosable opening (204) is an inverted V-shaped opening. In yet another embodiment the longitudinal sealing on the edge (208) is left unsealed in certain defined length to act as opening (204).

The reclosable opening (204) is covered by the closure patch (202) which may be peeled in a similar manner as described for FIG. 1, considering the high peel strength adhesive is provided along the openable area (214), and the low peel strength adhesive is provided along the second area (216). The closure patch (202) further includes a pull-tab (212) configured to facilitate pulling off and/or peeling the closure patch (202) in a similar manner as described with reference to FIG. 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the reclosable opening (204) and the closure patch (202) may cover a portion of the adjacent first panel (206) and the first side gusset (210). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the reclosable opening (204) when opened by pulling off the closure patch (202) acts as a pouring spout for dispensing the content stored within the package (200). For example, the weight of the content while pouring out from the package (200) bends the open able area (214) to act as a pouring spout. It may be contemplated that the shape of the reclosable opening (204) is merely exemplary and may be varied to achieve similar results such as easy pouring.

In an alternative embodiment, the flexible package (200) may include a second reclosable opening (not shown) different from the reclosable opening (204) provided on at least one of the panels (206, 207), or the gussets (210).

According to a yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the package (300) includes a pair of side gussets (313) configured to join the first panel (312) and the second panel (311) to form the package (300) having at least one open side. The package (300) further includes two closure patches (302, 304) and two corresponding tamper evident reclosable openings (306, 308) working in conjunction with each other in a similar manner as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In this embodiment, one closure patch (302) is provided on a side edge (310), similar to that of FIG. 2, and the second closure patch (304) is provided on a first panel (312) of the package (300). As described earlier, both the closure patches (302, 304) include a pull-tab (314, 316) respectively. The pull-tabs (314, 316) facilitate the user to pull off and/or peel the closure patches (302, 304) in order to expose and/or create the reclosable openings (306, 308) respectively. In this case, in order to dispense small amount of article from the package (300), the user can open the reclosable opening (306) which acts as a pouring spout to facilitate easy pouring of the content. Further, for dispensing larger amount of article from the package (300), such as by hand or by inserting a scoop, the reclosable opening (308) on the first panel (312) may be opened by the user. Therefore, the user, as per his convenience, can dispense the content stored in the package (300).

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an exemplary flexible package (400) having a reclosable opening (402) with a rigid lockable closure (404), according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The flexible package (400) includes a first panel (405) and a second panel (406), and at least one pair of side gussets (407, 409) configured to attach the two panels (405, 406) to form a receptacle (not shown) having at least three closed side. According to the embodiment, the reclosable opening (402) is provided on the first panel (405). However, it may be contemplated that the reclosable opening (402) may be provided anywhere on an outer surface of the package (400), such as on any of the panels, gussets and/or edges of the package (400).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the package (400) includes the rigid lockable closure (404) which is configured to reclose and lock the reclosable opening (402) of the package (400). According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rigid lockable closure (404) is made up of plastic material such as Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE) etc., wooden or metallic. However, it may be understood that the material of the rigid lockable closure (404) is merely exemplary and may be varied to achieve similar results.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the rigid lockable closure (404) includes a base frame (408), a lockable cover (410) and a lockable portion (412). The base frame (408) is attached to the outer surface of the package (400) and in proximity to the reclosable opening (402), such that the base frame (408) defines an outline of the reclosable opening (402). Further, the lockable cover (410) is configured with the lockable portion (412). The base frame (408) is hinged with the lockable cover (410). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lockable portion (412) snap locks within the base frame (408). However, it may be contemplated that other locking mechanism known in the art may also be used to have rigid lockable closure (404). In an exemplary embodiment, the base frame (408), the lockable cover (410) and the lockable portion (412) are shown to be square in shape. However, it may be contemplated that the shape of the base frame (408), the lockable cover (410) and the lockable portion (412) are merely exemplary and may be varied to achieve similar functions and results.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the lockable cover (410) may be further attached to a closure patch (414) configured to facilitate a user to pull open the rigid lockable closure (404) to access the contents of the package (400). The closure patch (414) and the lockable cover (410) are attached to each other by using an adhesive, such as a high peel strength adhesive, or a permanent adhesive, or the like or sealed using suitable methods. The closure patch (414) further includes a pull tab (416) for pulling the closure patch (414). The closure patch (414) and the pull tab (416) work in conjunction with the rigid lockable closure (404) in a similar manner as disclosed for perforated openings disclosed in FIGS. 1 to 3. Further, the area of the substrate surface of the package (400) inside the base frame (408) may be perforated or laser scored or weakened by any other suitable means near the inside periphery of the base frame (408) which may be torn by the user to access the contents of the package (400). An additional film/paper or metal foil or laminate of any combination may be placed under the base frame (408) to act as tearable seal to access the content.

Since the closure patches provided according to the present invention, are adhesive tapes, the sealing of the package is very effective, thereby minimizing any leakage of air into the package. Further, the closure patches are reusable and reclosable, thereby enabling the user to store the contents within the package for longer duration.

The foregoing description of specific embodiments of the present invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description only. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. 

I claim:
 1. A flexible package (100) comprising: a pair of opposite panels (102, 103); at least one pair of side gussets (104, 106) configured with the pair of panels to form a receptacle (108), having at least three closed sides; and a first and a second tamper evident reclosable opening (116, 118) provided on the at least one of the side gussets (104, 106), the opening (116, 118) configured to provide access to contents of the flexible package (100), wherein the first reclosable opening (116) is smaller than the second reclosable opening (118).
 2. The flexible package (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first and the second reclosable openings (116, 118) include perforated tearable/openable areas (124, 126).
 3. The flexible package (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flexible package (100) further includes a closure patch (112, 114) configured to cover the openable areas (124, 126) associated with each of the first and the second reclosable openings (116, 118).
 4. The flexible package (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the closure patch (112, 114) associated with the first and the second reclosable openings (116, 118) includes a pull tab (120, 122) for pulling the closure patch (112, 114).
 5. The flexible package as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the closure patch (112, 114) includes a high peel strength adhesive in the areas (124, 126) and a low peel strength adhesive in second areas (128, 130), such that a peel strength of the high peel strength adhesive is greater than a peel strength of the low peel strength adhesive.
 6. The flexible package as claimed in claim 5, wherein the high peel strength adhesive and the low peel strength adhesive include different thicknesses to provide different peel strengths in the areas (124, 126) and the second areas (128, 130).
 7. The flexible package as claimed in claim 5, wherein the high peel strength adhesive in the areas (124, 126) is a permanent adhesive and the low peel strength adhesive in the second areas (128, 130) is a reusable adhesive.
 8. The flexible package (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and the second reclosable openings (116, 118) are provided on any one of the side gussets (104, 106), and the panels (102, 103), or a combination thereof.
 9. A flexible package (200) comprising: a pair of opposite panels (206, 207); at least one pair of side gussets (210) configured with the two panels (206, 207) to form a receptacle, having at least three closed sides; and a tamper evident reclosable opening (204) provided on at least one edge (208) of the flexible package (200) and configured to provide access to the contents of the flexible package (200).
 10. The flexible package (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the reclosable opening (204) is at least one of a rectangular opening, V-shaped opening, inverted V-shaped opening, circular opening, elliptical opening, geometrical opening, an unsealed portion on the edge (208), or a combination thereof.
 11. The flexible package (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the reclosable opening (204) includes an openable area (214).
 12. The flexible package (200) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the flexible package (200) further includes a closure patch (202) configured to cover the openable area (214) associated with the reclosable opening (204).
 13. The flexible package (200) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the closure patch (202) associated with the reclosable opening (204) includes a pull tab (212) for pulling the closure patch (202).
 14. The flexible package (200) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the closure patch (202) includes a high peel strength adhesive in the openable area (214), and a low peel strength adhesive in second area (216), such that a peel strength of the high peel strength adhesive is greater than a peel strength of the low peel strength adhesive.
 15. The flexible package (200) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the high peel strength adhesive and the low peel strength adhesive include different thicknesses to provide different peel strengths in the openable area (214) and the second area (216).
 16. The flexible package (200) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the high peel strength adhesive in the openable area (214) is a permanent adhesive and the low peel strength adhesive in the second area (216) is a reusable adhesive.
 17. The flexible package (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein a second reclosable opening different from the reclosable opening (204) is provided on at least one of the panels (206, 207), or the gussets (210).
 18. A flexible package (300) comprising: a pair of opposite panels (311, 312); at least one pair of side gussets (313) configured with the pair of panels (311, 312) to form a receptacle having at least three closed sides; and a first tamper evident reclosable opening (306) provided on at least one edge (310) and a second tamper evident reclosable opening (308) provided on at least one of the panels (311, 312), the openings (306, 308) configured to provide access to contents of the flexible package (300), wherein the first reclosable opening (306) is smaller than the second reclosable opening (308).
 19. The flexible package (300) as claimed in claim 18, wherein the flexible package (300) further includes a closure patch (302, 304) configured to cover the first and the second reclosable openings (306, 308).
 20. A flexible package (400) comprising: a pair of opposite panels (405, 406); at least one pair of side gussets (407, 409) configured to attach the two panels (405, 406) to form a receptacle having at least three closed sides; a reclosable opening (402) provided on at least one of the panels (405, 406) of the flexible package (400) and configured to provide access to contents of the flexible package (400); and a rigid lockable closure (404) configured to cover the reclosable opening (402).
 21. The flexible package (400) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the rigid lockable closure (404) includes a base frame (408) attached to an outer surface of the flexible package (400), the base frame (408) is configured to define an outline of the reclosable opening (402) to provide access to the contents of the flexible package (400).
 22. The flexible package (400) as claimed in claim 21, wherein the rigid lockable closure (404) includes a lockable cover (410) and a lockable portion (412) attached to a closure patch (414) configured to cover the base frame (408) of the rigid lockable closure (404) and the reclosable opening (402).
 23. The flexible package (400) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the rigid lockable closure (404) is made from at least one polymer, or a combination of polymers, or a wooden material, or a metal.
 24. The flexible package (400) as claimed in claim 22, wherein the lockable portion (412) is configured to snap lock within the base frame (408) to reclose the reclosable opening (402).
 25. The flexible package (400) as claimed in claim 22, wherein the lockable cover (410) along with the lockable portion (412) is attached to the closure patch (414) by using a permanent adhesive.
 26. The flexible package (400) as claimed in claim 22, wherein the lockable portion (412) and the lockable cover (410) are attached to each other by using a permanent adhesive.
 27. The flexible package (400) as claimed in claim 22, wherein the closure patch (414) includes a pull tab (416) for pulling the closure patch (414). 